Raquel Grays is making a habit of having a packed schedule at the Class 5A state swimming meet.

The Johnson junior competed in four events each of the past two years, taking part in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle races and two relays. It's the same situation this year, with one slight change.

Grays didn't have to wait for a call-up in her individual events. This time she earned her ticket by winning the 50 and 100 at the Region VII meet. In addition, she's participating in Johnson's 200 medley and 200 free relays that earned a call-up.

“Going in four events is always amazing,” Grays said. “This year it means more because when I got first, it showed all the hours of work really paid off.”

Grays, the Region VII Girls Swimmer of the Year, wants to carry her recent success to state.

Although she was part of Johnson's third-place 200 free relay last year, Grays has not medaled individually. The odds of that changing are favorable.

She has the top qualifying time in the 100 (50.29 seconds), and her 23.48 in the 50 ranks third. The recent success at regionals, coupled with the experience of being there before, brings plenty of optimism.

“The thing that helps me the most is being confident,” Grays said. “I believe in myself and have great support from my coach, my teammates and my parents.”

Once again, the state competition will be stout, but she won't be overwhelmed. After all, two of her toughest competitors are Reagan's Sarah Gibson and Churchill'sMegan Strickland. At the District 26-5A meet, Grays finished second to her opponents in individual races.

Grays passed them at the regionals, but it was still a tough battle. She expects nothing to change.

Gibson, also entered in the 200 free, ranks second in the 100 (50.67), while Strickland is fifth in the 50 (23.58) and 100 (51.51)

“It's crazy because we all swim together on club (team),” Grays said. “It's always back and forth. It's funny. We always want to beat each other, but we're friends. They really push me every race.”

Johnson coach Dustin Holland believes this is Grays' year to do something special.

“It's going to be fun to see her at state,” Holland said. “She has become a great sprinter. It's her self-discipline and competitiveness. She's dedicated. She works hard and has great parental support. That's a great combination.”

In between her individual events, Grays hopes to shine in the relays with 200 medley teammates Taylor Silvestry, Rachel DeYoung and Brianna Higgins, along with Taylor Brown, Emma Walsh and Berkley Freund in the 200 free. Medals in those events would give Johnson a major boost in the team standings.